Is your family a circus or a circle?

Friday

Sep 27, 2013 at 11:11 AM

What is your family like? Is it a three-ring circus with so much going on in different directions that you lose the cohesive, sharing feeling you once had? Or is it more of a circle where different things are taking place but they blend into the unity that ties you all together? Maybe you don’t really know what’s happening? Sadly, some don’t care what’s happening.

What is your family like? Is it a three-ring circus with so much going on in different directions that you lose the cohesive, sharing feeling you once had? Or is it more of a circle where different things are taking place but they blend into the unity that ties you all together? Maybe you don’t really know what’s happening? Sadly, some don’t care what’s happening.

Caring is the key to a happy home and family life. Caring makes a family a circle of strength based on faith and joined in love. God cared enough to give the example of how homes should be. His word speaks of individual responsibilities in the home. Fathers. Mothers. Children. All have obligations. And all have certain rights. The balance of these obligations and rights helps make a balanced and happy family. It helps form the family circle.

Much is written about the "trouble" with the American family. Television and movies make light (to say the least) of the family and marriage. Political battles are fought over who has how many "rights." Almost half of all marriages end in divorce — and that’s not counting those that end without divorce papers.

A family circle establishes strength and security. It includes all family members. It provides protection against outside forces that try to divide families. It is said that the Round Table of King Arthur was to show that all who sat at the table were equal. So also the family circle includes all as equals who contribute to the good of the whole.

God’s word gives instructions concerning the home and family. It instructs how husbands and wives should love each other and how children are to be raised and brought up to know God. Please read Ephesians 5:21 through 6:4. His word tells us how to work out problems and teaches priorities to keep the family strong.

The home is important to God. He invented it. He wants it to function properly. I hope your family truly is a family circle. But if it’s more like a family circus and you need help, I suggest you look to God and his word for that help.

I’d like to hear from you. Email me at lallitnt@yahoo.com.

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